C/Z Records
Seattle punk label that launched early grunge.
C/Z Records, a Seattle punk label, got its start in early 1985 when Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale founded it. Their first release, the compilation *Deep Six*, came out in March 1986 and featured early recordings by bands that would later define grunge, including Soundgarden, Melvins, and Green River. The record didn’t sell well, so after about a year and a half, Hanzsek and Casale sold the label to Daniel House, then the bassist for Skin Yard.
House, who was recording Skin Yard’s debut album at the time, ran C/Z as an outlet for unsigned Seattle acts. In 1989, he took a job as director of sales at the new label Sub Pop, and eventually left C/Z. Under his tenure, the label released early work by bands like Built to Spill and 7 Year Bitch. A 1993 distribution deal with Sony’s RED Distribution hurt the label, forcing it to shrink and pause new releases for over a year. In 1996, BMG’s Zoo Entertainment partnered with C/Z, providing a budget, but when Zoo was bought by Volcano Entertainment in 1997, all third-party deals ended. House then scaled C/Z back to part-time, putting out records only occasionally.
Among its later releases, C/Z put out a 2002 collection of unreleased Skin Yard material called *Start at the Top*. The label also issued several *Teriyaki Asthma* compilations, one of which included Nirvana’s “Mexican Seafood.” Notable artists who released music through C/Z include Soundgarden, Melvins, Skin Yard, The Gits, Silkworm, and Hammerbox.
Quick Facts
- Founder
- Chris Hanzsek / Tina Casale
- Defunct
- 2001
- Genre
- Punk rock, / alternative rock, / grunge
- Country
- United States
- Location
- Seattle, Washington / Los Angeles, California
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
C/Z Records was founded in early 1985 by Chris Hanzsek and Tina Casale. Its first release, in March 1986, was Deep Six, a compilation LP featuring early recordings by Soundgarden, Melvins, Green River, Skin Yard, Malfunkshun, and The U-Men. The record was commercially unsuccessful, and after about 18 months, Hanzsek and Casale sold the label to Daniel House, who was then recording Skin Yard's first album.
Under House, C/Z became an outlet for many unsigned Seattle bands. In 1989, House began working as director of sales for Sub Pop, and eventually left C/Z. The label subsequently released early albums and singles by Melvins, Built to Spill, 7 Year Bitch, The Gits, Silkworm, and Hammerbox. In 1993, C/Z entered a production and distribution deal with Sony-owned RED Distribution, which had a negative impact, forcing downsizing and a pause in new releases for over a year.
In 1996, BMG-owned Zoo Entertainment partnered with C/Z, providing an operating and recording budget. In 1997, Zoo was purchased by Volcano Entertainment, which dropped all third-party ventures. Daniel House then returned C/Z to part-time status, releasing only occasional records infrequently.
Reader's Guide
C/Z Records holds a significant place in the history of American independent music as an early outlet for what would become the grunge sound. Its first release, Deep Six, is often cited as a foundational document of the Seattle grunge scene, featuring bands that would later achieve international fame. Though the label never achieved major commercial success, it provided a platform for numerous influential acts during the late 1980s and 1990s, including Skin Yard, Melvins, and The Presidents of the United States of America. The label's various distribution and partnership deals—first with RED Distribution, then with Zoo Entertainment—illustrate the challenges small independent labels faced in the changing music industry of the 1990s. After Zoo's purchase by Volcano Entertainment, C/Z was reduced to part-time operations, but its legacy as a key early supporter of grunge and alternative rock remains.
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